Ex-New York Giant and Seattle Seahawks Running Back Dan Doornink Dies at 70

November 6, 2026

Dan Doornink, who played for the New York Giants and Seattle Seahawks before becoming a doctor, died at 70 on October 31. The Seahawks announced his death. His obituary said he had lived with two rare autoimmune diseases for many years.

A Yakima, Washington, native, Doornink played for Washington State before the Giants used a seventh-round pick on him in the 1978 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he took the field for 12 games, starting three, and rushed for 306 yards and a touchdown. He also caught 12 passes for 66 yards. The Giants traded him to Seattle in 1979.

Doornink played seven seasons with the Seahawks, becoming their starting running back. He rushed for 844 yards and 11 touchdowns over his first two seasons with the team. He helped Seattle earn its first postseason berth during the 1983 campaign, then ran for 126 yards on 29 carries in a 13-7 playoff win over the Raiders the following year. From 1979 to 1985, he rushed for 1,530 yards and 14 touchdowns in Seattle. His career totals were 1,836 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns.

After retiring from football, Doornink practiced internal medicine in the Yakima Valley. His obituary said he earned the nickname “Dr. Dan” while following his father into medicine. It also remembered his quick wit, integrity and love of people, and described his life with his wife, Sharon, and their family.